We love Wednesdays because we get to hear stories about Kane’s history from the Historic Preservation Society! Tonight John Marconi shares about the once thriving glass industry right here in Kane and James City.
The photo of glass featured at the top of the blog are examples of what was used to pave roads in James city instead of gravel. That fact was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not because it was the only place where streets were made of glass.
Watch the video to hear more stories from the era of glass factories in and around Kane!
A few pictures:
We still have a few Wednesdays left during 100 Days. What stories about Kane history would you like to hear in the upcoming weeks?
My grandfather worked in the factory. He was injured and lost part of his foot when a crane crashed. He was a security guard after that. I would like to learn more about the accident. His name was Steve Sloboda.
Wow! So sorry to hear about the accident. The Kane Historic Preservation Society might be able to help you with some information. Their email address is kanehistoricpreservationsociety@outlook.com. They are open at The Depot (old train station) Wed night, Friday and Saturdays if you are in town at all. Good Luck!
I just found this video and really enjoyed the talk. My grandfather, Steve Kurcinik, worked in one of the glass factories in and around Kane in the early 1900’s. In 1922 he moved to Lebanon CT to become a farmer. He was of Czech heritage. I would love to know more about where he worked. If there is a museum or historic record of the employees I would love to visit and research to see if I could find his name.
Hello Marie! We do have a museum here, it also houses the Kane Historic Preservation Society. They might be able to help you with additional information about the glass factory he worked at. Their email is kanehistoricpreservationsociety@outlook.com. Good Luck!